A POWYS couple who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last month with a card from the king have put their longevity down to modest living.

Pam and Eddie Davies, who live just outside Rhayader, tied the knot on May 16, 1959. In the same year that Pam and Eddie walked down the aisle in the UK, the first trial for the hovercraft took place; the first section of the M1 Motorway was opened; and UK postcodes were introduced for the first time.

Among the many people to congratulate Pam and Eddie and send them gifts and good wishers on their landmark anniversary, were King Charles and Queen Camilla.

“We’ve had a card of the king on reaching 65 years. It’s a lovely card. Not many people get to that mark,” said Pam.

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Asked what had been keen to staying married for so long, Pam said: “Well, it’s give and take, that’s what you’ve got to do.

“As for the secret to a long marriage, we’ve never been flush with money but we’ve always managed. We never wined and dined or did anything too extravagant.”

Pam and Eddie, 83 and 85 respectively, have two daughters and son and they dote on 6 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Major events going on in and around the world in 1959

  • Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th US states

  • Fidel Castro became premier of Chile

  • The Barbie doll makes its first appearance in the United States, produced by Mattel

  • Protests, known as The Tibetan uprising, begin when Chinese officials attempt to arrest the Dalai Lama

  • The first photos of the far side of the Moon are obtained by the USSR’s Luna 3.

  • The European Court of Human Rights is established.

  • Buddy Holly dies in a plane crash, along with Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and the pilot near Clear Lake, Iowa,

  • NASA announces seven military pilots are to become the first US astronauts, becoming known as the 'Mercury Seven'.

  • The Guggenheim Museum of modern art opens to the public in New York City

  • Harold Macmillan, the popular leader of the Conservatives, won the Tories an historic third successive term in office.

  • UK postcodes are introduced for the first time, albeit as an experiment, in Norwich